Humpback
Whale Behaviors

Breach
When the humpback whale powers out of the water using the
fluke and falls back to the water with a great splash.

Round Out or Peduncle Arch and Diving
Many times we spot the humpback whales rolling to the surface
several times and showing the dorsal fin on the whales back,
blowing and taking fresh breaths. When the whale rolls its
humpback out of the water and then lifts its tail in the
air it is getting ready to dive. Humpback whales dive on
average 10 to 15 minutes, so patience is very important.
Humpback whales can stay under for as long as 45 minutes.
In one study done around Maui and utilizing a suction cup
attached depth meter, a whale was tracked to a depth of
197 meters or 587 feet.

Tail Slap
Often making a loud slapping that can easily be heard, the
humpback whale will slap the waters surface with the fluke
or tail fin, possibly warning other whales.

Pectoral or Pec Slap
Another fairly common sight is humpback whales laying on
their side and slapping the water with one or both pectoral
or side fins. Pec slapping is thought to be a communication
or possible warning to other whales.

Head Rise or Spy Hop
A head rise is when the whale slowly rises vertically until
its head is straight up out of the water. This may be an
effort to look around and see what is going on above the
water.

Head Lunge
The whale aggressively lunges forward with its head out
of the water. This is thought to be a competitive move by
the humpback whale.

Peduncle Slap or Lobtail
When the whale raises the fluke from the water and thrashes
it from side to side slapping the base of the tail or the
caudal peduncle on the surface of the water in an aggressive
manner.

Whale Songs
Whale’s songs have been heard throughout the centuries
of human interaction with whales. They were first heard
and recorded with a microphone in 1961. The songs often
vary between years, pods and populations around the world.
Though males and females can vocalize, only males are thought
to sing distinct and organized songs. It is thought male
humpback whales usually sing only on the breeding grounds.The
underwater vocals of male humpback whales can sometimes
be heard by divers, snorkelers and boaters.